Supported tray system

ABSTRACT

A tray and tray support system which is suited for attachment to a portable folding chair enables the tray mechanism to be either left closely adjacent to the portable seating and unused, or pivoted to a position of deployment. Deployment is effected by causing a tray suspended from a fitting to be pivoted from a vertical hanging position and through an angle of about 270° to then be stably supported at a general horizontal position. The responsibility for pivoting support is divided and uses a pivot stop structure within a tray deployment fitting, and a set of tray supports which are also pivotally attached to the tray deployment fitting about an axis adjacent and parallel to the axis of the main horizontal extent of the main tray bearing member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a deployable and stowable tray mechanism for use with any support structure and which can be adjusted to a first position as a side support position to one side to allow a user to rise and re-seat freely, and to a second position where the table is brought to a stable supported position and which may be immediately before a seated user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The term “tray” and “tray support system” and “tray mechanism” includes a mechanism for deployment and stowage of a generally horizontal surface for supporting food and drink, for writing upon and for supporting reading materials, to name a few. The use of folding tray support mechanisms has been found to be beneficial in airline seating, university classroom seating, and highly specialized, and virtually always non-moveable or non-portable seating, which allowed a good number of tray structures to develop from its own support, apart from the seating. Airline seating uses a well-stowed, highly articulating tray support system for bulkhead seats. The overall bulkhead stowage apparatus for airlines needed to have a weight savings to justify the fuel consumption involved in multiple flights, but due to airline safety regulations, the tray mechanism cannot be insubstantial and must not present a hazard in an emergency.

None of the aforementioned tray and tray support mechanisms is suitable for carriage with general use seating and particularly portable seating, sometimes known as a folding chair. First, where seating is foldably deployed, a needed tray support mechanism should be compatible with the deployment and stowage mechanism of the seating. Where seating collapses in a direction which leaves the tray or tray mechanism protruding, an unwieldy partially structure will result.

Second, the overall weight of the tray and tray support must be minimally additive to the weight of the portable seating. The portable seating will typically have a significant portion of its carriage by hand, and so the resulting overall weight should not be significancy more then the overall weight of the portable seating without the tray and the tray's supporting structure.

Third, the overall structural dependency from the supporting portable seating should not be compromised. A tray and tray mechanism for a portable seat should enable very nearly the same user reliance on use of the tray and its support for writing, reading and support of food and drink on the tray. All support should be stable, but particularly stable when the portable seating is occupied in supporting the weight of a user, and also capable of stability when the portable seating is unoccupied, and especially when ultra-light seating is utilized and where tipping over might be an issue.

Fourth, an ideal tray mechanism should ideally have a high range of chair types and associated structures with which it may be implemented. This includes both original equipment manufacture as well as retrofit applications. Detachability is important for fulfilling the utility functions of the user, as there are instances where the user may wish to have the ability to detach the tray mechanism and leave it at home, or to have a more compact cache of tray mechanisms to attach to seating when they are needed. Maximizing the capability to increase user preference can make a tray mechanism for portable seating more valuable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a tray and tray support system which is ideally suited for attachment to a vertical member of a portable folding chair. The method of attachment enables the tray mechanism to be either left closely adjacent to the portable seating and unused, or pivoted to a position of deployment. Deployment is effected by causing a tray suspended from a fitting to be pivoted from a vertical hanging position and through an angle of about 270° to then be stably supported at a general horizontal position.

The ability to pivot is accomplished through a pivot stop structure. The pivot stop structure which occupies about 165° of arc and engages a stop occupying about 63° of arc after rotating about an angle of about 130°. A tray depends from a pair of supports which are pivotally connected to a pivot fitting which sets the axis of pivot as spaced from an axis of pivot from the pivot stop structure, and which uses the bearing presence of the pivot stop structure upon which to stably rest the pair of supports after pivoting through an angle of about 140°. The total angular displacement of the pivot stop structure angle of about 130° and the pivot fitting angle of about 140° to produce a total angular displacement of about 270°.

The pivot stop structure will generally be mounted to depend from portable seating so that it is generally horizontal. In one embodiment, especially amenable for retrofit capability, the pivot stop structure has a horizontal main extent and a vertical main extent which attaches to a mounting bracket. The vertical extent and bracket attach to a vertical member on portable seating. The right angled portion, by virtue of its connection to a non-horizontal member of the portable seating, provides a sturdy resistance to the turning moment applied to the pivot stop structure when the tray is in the horizontal position. Other attachment methods and other structures which can provide an anti-turning support in the pivot stop structure may be employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention, its configuration, construction, and operation will be best further described in the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective overall view of one example of a seating structure, such as a portable seating structure shown in the folded or stowed position to illustrate a further advantage of the table structure of the present invention and its compatibility in a stowed hanging position generally gravitationally urged flat against the folded chair;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 1 but where the portable seating is seen in an un-folded or deployed position generally ready for use as seating as would be the case for non-portable seating and in which the tray system is still shown in a hanging position but having its horizontal main extent pivoted about its vertical main extent from a rearward position lying alongside the chair arm to a forward position extending in front of the chair but again generally parallel to the chair arm;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to that seen in FIG. 2, but wherein the tray of the tray system has been flipped from a vertical position toward the center axis of the chair, through a first horizontal position and then to a second stable horizontal position, having been flipped or pivoted 270° from its vertical gravity resting position to a supported horizontal position in which the tray can be utilized for support of other objects, but forward and to the side of the portable chair where the tray support system is mounted;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to that seen in FIG. 5 in which the tray support system is rotated about its vertical main extent while supported by its bracket, and to position in which the horizontal main extent is positioned most closely to a position of a seated person if present, with the supported tray extending from the main horizontal extent away from the back of the portable seating and in a position to support food items directly in front of the person (not shown) if seated in the chair;

FIG. 5 is a perspective closeup view probably from the center of the chair, and looking down into the inside of the tray system and focussing on the fitting and illustrating further details of the tray system structure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of the assembly seen in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view from the rear of the fitting attached to the front vertical support of the portable seat, from which the tray system structurally depends;

FIG. 8 is a partially exploded view which illustrates the operation of the cam mechanism to allow the main vertical extent to pivot, raise and lower with respect to the support fitting attached to the front vertical support of the seat;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 2 and showing the state of the internal and external pivot limiting components of tray support system and tray in a position suspended in a vertical position and at rest;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 2 similar to the sectional view as seen in FIG. 9 but showing the state of the internal and external pivot limiting components of tray support system and tray in a position after having been pivoted through an angle of 270° ending with the tray in a horizontal resting position;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 4 and showing the tray system support fitting in a locked position; and

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 4 and showing the tray system support fitting in an unlocked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective overall view of a seat 21 is shown in folded position. A typical seat may or may not be portable (such as a permanently anchored but deployable seat), may or may not be foldable, and it may have base seating structures in addition to those seen in FIG. 1. Conversely the base seating structure portions of FIG. 1 may have features not seen in other base seating structures with which the invention may be utilized. Seat 21 is shown as folded to a laterally compact shape. Details of seat 21 are set forth to illustrate but a single seating environment of many in which the invention may operate. A pair of lateral seat supports 23 and 25 are shown as brought together in close proximity with no change in their front to back length. The generally horizontal seat support 23 is connected to a front generally vertically extending cross support 27 and a rear generally vertically extending cross support 29. Likewise, the generally horizontal seat support 25 is connected to a front generally vertically extending cross support 31 and a rear generally vertically extending cross support 33.

A first horizontally extending arm 35 is connected to a front vertical support 37 and a rear vertical support 39.

A second horizontally extending arm 35 is connected to a front vertical support 41 and a rear vertical support 43. A rear seat back support 45 is connected to generally horizontal seat support 23, and a rear seat back support 47 is connected to generally horizontal seat support 25. In the unfolding of the seat 21, a connected cloth material may generally be used to set the limits over which the seat 21 will unfold. These may be generally seen as a bottom seating suspension material 51 which is connected to and extends between pair of lateral seat supports 23 and 25, and a back seating suspension material 53 which is suspended between rear seat back supports 45 and 47.

Hereinafter, components attached to the seat 21 to form a tray system 55 of the invention will be described. A tray system support fitting 61 is seen attached to the vertical support 41 and a portion of its body partially covers and is secured to the vertical support 41. It is understood that tray system support fitting 61 could fit onto a variety of other structures provided on other forms of seating and that seat 21 is but one example. Tray system support fitting 61 is attached to vertical support 41 with an attachment member 63 which may preferably penetrate tray system support fitting 61 and the vertical support 41 and may be a rivet or threaded member or locking pin, to name a few. On the right side of the tray system support fitting 61, a moveable locking clip 65 is seen. Locking clip 65 may be pivotable over and onto a portion of the tray system support fitting 61 to increase compression or constriction of a portion of the tray system support fitting 61 or pivotable free of a portion of the tray system support fitting 61 to release such compression or restriction.

Tray system support fitting 61 is seen as having a portion of its body partially surrounding and pivotally supporting a main tray bearing member 71 its main vertical main extent 73. The main vertical extent 73 transitions into a main horizontal extent 75 preferably through a gradual curved corner. A lower cap 77 is seen at the bottom most portion of the vertical main extent 73.

From the main horizontal extent 75, a pair of spaced apart tray deployment fittings 81 can pivotally rotate over a limiter range. From each of the pair of spaced apart tray deployment fittings 81 a pair of supports 85 have first ends pivotably connected to the pair of spaced apart tray deployment fittings 81. The pair of supports 85 have second ends which are attached to one side of a tray 91. Tray 91 is seen from its underside in FIG. 1 and tray 91 is shown as having a structural support grid 93 so that a lighter weight table 91 can be provided which is still strong enough to maintain an acceptable support weight. The pair of supports 85 second ends are generally rigidly attached to one side of a tray 91. Rigid attachment of the pair of supports 85 second ends can be had by bolting using threaded members as well as by forming the tray 91 by injection molding around the pair of supports 85 second ends during injection molding, with appropriate structures at and adjacent the ends of the pair of supports 85 to enable a good connection.

A pivoting attachment which can provide a pivoting rotation of 270° with good holding force is generally difficult to achieve, but is provided in the tray system 55 by both splitting the components which must accommodate the rotation, as well as by using the shape and diameter of the tray deployment fittings 81 and the pivot point provided on the tray deployment fittings 81 spaced apart from the main horizontal extent 75 to provide a location and mechanics for the pair of supports 85 to be supported. This deployed final resting location is based upon the limited angular displacement of the tray deployment fittings 81 with respect to the main horizontal extent 75, as well as the limited angular displacement of the pair of supports 85 with respect to the tray deployment fittings 81.

The overall movement capabilities of the tray system 55 of the invention will first be shown with regard to the capabilities as they appear to the user, and then sectional drawings illustrating the inner workings of the various fittings which allow such capabilities will be illustrated in Further detail. As before, FIG. 1 illustrates the seat 21 in a folded position to occupy less lateral space. The advantage of this position is that it can be attached more flatly to other structures, or more easily carried, more easily stored, or simply to provide additional space for other items adjacent the tray system 55. However, referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view similar to that shown in

FIG. 1 but where the seat 21 is seen in an un-folded or deployed position generally ready for use as seating and in which the tray system 55 is still shown in a hanging position but having its horizontal main extent 75 pivoted about its vertical main extent 73 from a rearward position lying alongside and closely adjacent the chair arm 35 as seen in FIG. 1, to a forward position extending in front of the seat 21 but again generally parallel to the closest chair arm 35.

Movement to this position is generally preceded by opening release of moveable locking clip 65, and a re-locking of the moveable locking clip 65 once the position seen in FIG. 2 is achieved, or perhaps after further pivoting of the tray system 55 to a more inward position with regard to the seat 21. In the position seen in FIG. 2, where the tray system 55 and tray 91 is in the vertical position, the seat 21 is stable and the tray system 55 is not deployed in such a way that it can accept a load. Other aspects of the invention seen for the first time in FIG. 2 include an end cap 95 to cover the open end of the main horizontal extent 75 of the main tray bearing member 71. Also seen is a flat surface 97 of the tray 91, with flat surface 97 interrupted by a slight circular depression 99.

Regardless of whether or not the seat 21 would be occupied, further deployment steps are likely to occur. From the position seen in FIG. 2, the tray 91 will be flipped or rotated generally about the main horizontal extent 75, but in reality flipped or rotated about a combination of two axes before achieving the final position shown in FIG. 3. Tray deployment fittings 81 rotate generally about the center of the main horizontal extent 75. Further pivoting or rotation occurs about the pivoting connection between the pair of supports 85 and their pivoting connection to the tray deployment fittings 81 about a pivot point somewhat outside the surface of the main horizontal extent 75. The result of the rotation or flipping of the tray 91 is seen in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 3, a perspective view similar to that seen in FIG. 2 is seen. An arrow illustrates that the general displacement of the tray 91 occurs along the horizontal axis of main horizontal extent 75 of the main tray bearing member 71 through about 270°, from a vertically hanging position, to a vertically upright position, and continuing through to a horizontal position seen in FIG. 3. As can be seen, the pair of supports 85 are bearing down upon a portion of the tray deployment fittings 81 which are spaced apart from the point of pivoting connection the pair of supports 85 have with respect to the tray deployment fittings 81. In the position shown, the tray 91 can be used to support small, lightweight items while leaving the area in front of an individual, were an individual seated in the seat 21, open.

Referring to FIG. 4, a perspective view similar to that seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 is seen. An arrow in the horizontal plane illustrates a pivoting displacement of the tray 91 occurs about the axis of the main vertical main extent 73 while the moveable locking clip 65 remains in the open, unlocked position. The view of FIG. 4 illustrates a 90° angular displacement of the main horizontal extent 75 to bring the main horizontal extent 75 generally parallel to the width of the seat 21. In this position, the tray 91 is in position immediately in front of an individual which would otherwise be seated in the seat 21. As is shown in FIG. 4, the width and depth of the tray 91 is advantageous for use as a writing surface or a food support function.

If an individual sitting in the seat 21 were to lean or rest on the tray 91, such resting is most likely to occur on either the edge of the tray 91 closest to the main horizontal extent 75 of the main tray bearing member 71, or directly on the main horizontal extent 75 itself. Utilizing a support member for the tray 91 closest to the seated person helps to eliminate the need for reinforcement of the support of the tray 91 against inadvertent leaning weight on the tray 91 which would translate into bending moment if the tray 91 were not supported most immediately adjacent the line most closely adjacent an individual, if they were seated in the seat 21. Also note in FIG. 4 that the moveable locking clip 65 in FIG. 4 is in locked position so that the tray system 55 will remain in a fixed position with respect to the seat 21 until altered by a user.

The structures which control and fix the tray system 55 will next be examined in more detail. Referring to FIG. 5, a perspective closeup view looking down into the back side of one of the tray deployment fittings 81 inside of the tray system 55. The rear side of the tray deployment fitting 81 has a generally open space having an uppermost bearing surface 101 which is seen closely adjacent main horizontal extent 75. Seen at the underside of the main horizontal extent 75 is a limit block 103. The tray deployment fitting 81 may rotate upon the main horizontal extent 75 but limited by the contact of the uppermost bearing surface 101 against the limit block 103. As presented earlier, the rotational displacement possible of the tray deployment fitting 81 about the main horizontal extent 75, from a position of vertical hanging as seen in FIG. 5, is expected to be an angle of about 130°.

FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of the assembly seen in FIG. 5 and illustrates that the limit block 103 may be preferably attached by a rivet 107 after the tray deployment fittings 81 is threaded onto the main horizontal extent 75 of the main tray bearing member 71. The tray deployment fitting 81 is seen to have a pair of spaced apart apertures 111 through which the main horizontal extent 75 of the main tray bearing member 71 will be inserted. Once the tray deployment fitting is located along the main horizontal extent 75 of the main tray bearing member 71, the limit block 103 and riveted with rivet 107 to the underside of the main horizontal extent 75. This will axially fix the tray deployment fitting 81 with respect to the main horizontal extent 75.

Other structures visible in FIG. 6 includes a pin aperture 115 seen through the support 85. A pivot pin 117 will engage a pair of pivot pin bores 119 formed in the tray deployment fittings 81. Bosses 121 are seen for insuring that the support 85 is centered within the tray deployment fitting 81. Note that pivot pin bores 119 lie along an axis which is spaced apart from the axis of the pair of spaced apart apertures 111. As discussed previously, the total angular displacement of the tray deployment fittings 81 as pivot stop structure is an angle of about 130° and the exterior pivot fitting angle between the supports 85 and contact with the exterior of the tray deployment fittings 81 of about 140° to produce a total angular displacement of about 270°. FIG. 6 makes the double angular limitations more easily observable.

Referring to FIG. 7, a view from the rear of the tray system support fitting 61 attached to the front vertical support 41 of the seat 21 is seen. Attachment member 63 is seen as having extended completely through the tray system support fitting 61 to the back side. The moveable locking clip 65 is seen as having a pair of attachment apertures 126 which engage pivot projections 129 which extend from a standoff support 131. Standoff support 131 may be integrally formed with the tray system support fitting 61. Note that the moveable locking clip 65 has a projection 135 which moved to apply force to the surface of the main vertical main extent 73 through an opening 139. In the locked position, the moveable locking clip 65 prevents upward and downward movement, and imparts rotational resistance to the main tray bearing member 71. Referring to FIG. 8, a partially exploded view illustrates further details of the components seen in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIGS. 2 and 5 and showing the state of the internal and external pivot limiting components of the tray system 55. The limit block 103 and rivet 107 are seen and show the starting point for pivoting action of the tray deployment fittings 81 with respect to the main horizontal extent 75.

Referring to FIG. 10, a sectional view as in FIG. 9 shows the state of pivot limits. Tray deployment fitting 81 is seen to rotate to a position in which the uppermost bearing surface 101 bears against and is prevented from further rotation by limit block 103. Further, the pivot action of the tray support 85 about the pivot pin 117 is limited by contact of the tray support 85 against the exterior of its associated tray deployment fitting 81. As can be seen, the tray 91 is taken from a position which is generally vertical as shown in FIG. 9 to a position which is horizontal as seen in FIG. 10.

Referring to FIG. 11, a sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIGS. 4 and 7 and showing the tray system 55 gives a further illustrative view of the operation of the tray system support fitting 61 and its moveable locking clip 65. FIG. 11 shows the locked position also seen in FIG. 4. The moveable locking clip 65 is in a closed position bringing projection 135 into high friction compressive contact against the outer surface of the vertical main extent 73. Referring to FIG. 12, a sectional view as seen in FIG. 11 shows the tray system 55 in an unlocked position with the moveable locking clip 65 in an open position disengaging the projection 135 from friction contact with the exterior of the main vertical main extent 73 of the main tray bearing member 71.

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and or utilized. While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is understood by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

We claim:
 1. A tray system comprising: a tray system support fitting for attachment to a structure; a main tray bearing member having a first end adjacent a vertical main extent and a second end adjacent a main horizontal extent, said main horizontal extent having an right angled with respect to said main vertical extent, said main vertical extent of said main tray bearing member selectably fixably supporting said main tray bearing member; said tray system support for selectably enabling at least one of a height and a pivoting adjustment of said main tray bearing member; a tray deployment fitting depending from said main horizontal extent of said main tray bearing member; and a tray pivotally attached to said tray deployment fitting and enabled by said tray deployment fitting to be pivoted from a vertical hanging stowage position to a deployed horizontal support position and to remain in said deployed horizontal support position due to the influence of gravity.
 2. The tray system as recited in claim 1 wherein the pivot from a vertical hanging stowage position to a deployed horizontal support position occurs at a pivot of about 270°.
 3. The tray system as recited in claim 1 wherein the tray deployment fitting enables a first part of the pivot of said tray to occur about a first axis and a second part of the pivot of said tray to occur about a second axis.
 4. The tray system as recited in claim 4 wherein said first axis is parallel to said second axis.
 5. The tray system as recited in claim 1 wherein the tray deployment fitting includes a first aperture for enabling the tray deployment fitting to rotate about said main horizontal extent of said main tray bearing member, and a pivot pin bore spaced apart from said first aperture, said pivot pin bore for enabling said tray to pivot about said tray deployment fitting.
 6. The tray system as recited in claim 5 wherein said tray deployment fitting rotation about said main horizontal extent of said main tray bearing member and wherein said angular displacement of said tray about said tray deployment fitting divide the angular displacement of said tray about said main horizontal extent of said main tray bearing member while still summing to about 270°.
 7. The tray system as recited in claim 6 wherein said tray deployment fitting rotation about said main horizontal extent of said main tray bearing member is about 130° and wherein said angular displacement of said tray about said tray deployment fitting is about 140°.
 8. The tray system as recited in claim 1 wherein said tray system support frictionally engages said vertical main extent.
 9. The tray system as recited in claim 1 and further comprising at least one support having a first end attached to said tray and a second end attached to said tray deployment fitting and wherein said tray deployment fitting provides an angular displacement stop of a pivot of said tray from a vertical hanging stowage position to a deployed horizontal position. 